Opening DATA files

Have a problem opening a .DATA file? We collect information about file formats and can explain what DATA files are. Additionally we recommend software suitable for opening or converting such files.

What is the .DATA file type?

The .data extension is universally used in association with the generic Data File (DATA) file type. The DATA file type is applied arbitrarily to various computer files that contain some kind of usable, usually only machine-readable data.

DATA files can be simple text-based lists, database table dumps, renamed database files in the original format, indexed lists, binary data containers (possibly encrypted or digitally signed), or any other files that can store meaningful ('payload') data. Also, .data files are frequently encountered in computer programming where they appear as memory dumps, or application-specific data containers.

﻿

Quite often, DATA files are used in MMORPG-style games to save game data locally, in which case a .data file is a binary file in a proprietary format, readable only by the game client that created it.

Although not intended for direct interaction, text-based DATA files can still be opened with any text editor, regardless of the extension. Binary .data files normally require special readers, unless such files are simply masqueraded archive or database files in one of the major formats.